City advocate files complaint with human rights commission

City-based advocate Pankaj Chandgothia on Sunday filed a complaint before the National Human Rights Commission, New Delhi, in connection with suicide of local Punjab National Bank’s (PNB) branch manager Ajay Sehgal.

Chandgothia contended that Sehgal’s senior officers- deputy general manger AK Gupta and field general manager JK Guptacreated such harrowing circumstances that the victim was forced to commit suicide.

Sehgal, in his suicide note, had mentioned that the data which his seniors were presenting to the higher authorities were incorrect and they were misguiding the chairman-cum-managing director of the bank. Sehgal’s seniors accused him of being a non-performer.

“Despite a case being registered against them, the bank authorities transferred the accused from the place of incident to evade arrest. The PNB authorities should have immediately suspended the officers and made them join the investigation process,” he said.

Chandgothia asked the human rights commission to intervene in this matter and asked the PNB management to immediately suspend the officers concerned and present them before the investigating officers.

The advocate also sought Rs 5 crore compensation to the victim’s family as he has died in connection with his official duties and due to negligence of the bank authorities in failing to address the problem of victimisation.

PNB and all other banks be directed to form an antiharassment committee to deal with complaints of employees and management, Chandgothia appealed to the commission.